Kent State University’s Glauser School of Music is receiving statewide recognition as the Kent State Wind and Flute Ensembles were selected to perform at the 2026 Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference.
The OMEA conference draws hundreds of music educators, professional musicians, alumni and industry leaders from across Ohio and beyond. Fewer than 30 ensembles are chosen to perform each year, making the selection a significant honor for the university’s students and faculty.
“This is a big deal,” Benjamin Lorenzo, DMA, associate professor and director of bands at Kent State, told Kent State Today. “OMEA is the third largest music conference in the country, so being invited to perform really speaks to the quality of what our students and faculty are doing.”
This inclusion of the Kent State bands highlights the distinctive programs housed within the College of the Arts, where high-quality academics and professional-level performance standards prepare students for the global stage."
For many student performers, the opportunity carried personal significance. Emma Troyer, a senior music education major and member of both the Wind Ensemble and the Flute Ensemble, described the experience as “a full circle moment.”
Other students were excited for the conference’s networking opportunities. Dylan Smith, a first-year music education major and member of the Flute Ensemble, says that in the music business field, networking is essential to being successful in the career.
Lorenzo, who oversees Kent State’s band programs, including the Wind Ensemble and athletic bands, said performing at a conference of this scale is unlike a typical concert experience.
“Most of the time when we’re playing, the audience is friends, family and a few faculty members,” Lorenzo said. “At a conference like this, it’s all professional musicians, alumni, area directors and people working in the field. You’re playing for probably the most knowledgeable music audience that one can play for.”
Kent State prioritizes deep partnerships and industry connections beyond the classroom, ensuring that students are not just performing for a grade but are actively engaging with the professional networks that will define their future careers.
That level of exposure carries long-term benefits for students and the program as a whole. Performing at conferences like these goes beyond the public display; it is about service, growth and investment in the future.
“All throughout high school and my whole life, my music teachers always went to the convention,” Troyer said. “Being able to see them there and have them hear me play was really cool.”
The conference itself holds particular importance within the music education community. Troyer explained that nearly every music teacher in Ohio is familiar with this conference, and that the scale of the event sets it apart.
“Ohio’s a special deal because it’s the third largest in the country,” Troyer said. “Basically, every music teacher in the state of Ohio was there.”
Smith agreed. He enjoyed that students and teachers came together for the convention, not only to perform and listen, but to learn about ways to approach music education.
Recognition of this kind can help music departments for years to come.
“When you’re playing for all these directors, alumni can feel a sense of pride in their program, and area directors may be encouraged to send students here,” Lorenzo said. “These things make the program better. For individual students, that means your program improves over time, and your degree means more 10 years from now than it did before.”
The invitation also reflects the collaborative culture within Kent State’s music program. Lorenzo emphasized that achievements like this are the result of sustained effort from both students and faculty.
“There are a lot of things that go into an ensemble,” Lorenzo said. “Students have to be individually accountable. They take lessons, build theory knowledge and put in the work. When you reach an accomplishment like this, it’s not just one group or one teacher; it reflects a positive environment with students and faculty working together.”
Collaboration is key, and Smith experienced it first-hand. Suyeon Ko, D.Mus., assistant professor, often asked students if they would like to run through performances to ensure the students are confident and prepared.
“It’s a comfortable space,” Smith said. “We can ask our peers to look over their parts to see if anything looks wrong.”
For prospective students, the selection sends a clear message about the strength of Kent State’s music offerings.
“You’re coming to one of the best wind ensembles in the state,” Lorenzo said. “It’s a big honor to be recognized like this, and it’s an important selling point. We have a lot of benefits here, and on top of that, we have one of the finest ensembles in Ohio.”
Students agree that being a part of the music program is a special opportunity.
“The music program at Kent State is top-notch,” Smith said. “A lot of the professors we have are world-class. We have a lot of opportunities here that I don’t think many colleges have.”
Following the conference, the ensembles returned to campus for a busy spring semester filled with additional performances.
“Hopefully, we get a chance to rest a little,” Lorenzo said. “We still have concerts coming up in March, so we’re preparing multiple programs. After the conference, things settle into a more normal rhythm.”
Lorenzo encourages any students interested in joining.
“These ensembles are open to any student with experience,” Lorenzo said. “We have lots of students who are in band in high school at Kent State, and you can continue your music-making whether you decided to make music your major or not.”
Learn more about the Glauser School of Music and its various ensembles.